Forest fire in Kasaragod brought under control; 10 acres damaged
Forest fire in Kasaragod brought under control; 10 acres damaged
A forest blaze in Kasaragod's Konnakkad-Kommadi area was contained after night-long firefighting, with 10 acres burned and residents kept safe as teams battled flames from the hills.
Fire erupted in the Konnakkad-Kommadi forest area under Balal panchayat in Kasaragod around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting a coordinated response from forest officials, fire and rescue teams, and local residents. By Thursday evening the blaze was brought under control, with authorities confirming that about 10 acres of forest land had been damaged. The rapid containment helped prevent the fire from spilling into nearby habitations, a key priority for those living in the panchayat.
Forest officials, Fire and Rescue Services personnel, and local residents were jointly engaged in the containment operations. Two fire units—one from Kanhangad and another from Kuttikol—were deployed to the scene, but firefighting faced a major hurdle: the hilly terrain that hindered direct access to the core affected area. In all, around 90 forest staff, along with members of Vana Samrakshana Samithi, panchayat representatives, and other volunteers, coordinated the effort to douse the flames.
District officials emphasised that while the fire was localized, the challenging topography slowed firefighting efforts and underscored the need for better access routes in forest areas. The quick collaboration among forest staff, local communities, and panchayat bodies was highlighted as a decisive factor in limiting damage and protecting residents.
With the immediate danger contained, authorities said the fire had been confined to the forest area and did not spread to habitations.
